A/N:Hey you guys! Thank you so much for the amazing response on my previous story! I'm so glad you guys liked it. So, guess what? I'm back again with a new story! This will be more than a oneshot, I promise :)

I felt like I had to respond to some of your reviews for my previous story so here you go!

Aya-airi: Thank you so much for your really detailed review! It made me really happy to read it :) haha sorry for confusing you though. Thanks for the insight on the ending, I actually didn't really think of that last angle :)

Waldorf-Wannabe1812: Thank you for your time taken to read and review! Unfortunately I won't be continuing that oneshot as I don't really know where to take it, but there's always this fic! Stay tuned for more :)

That's all for now:) Once again, this chapter is thanks to my beta, katnissisthelove :) I actually have the next chapter done but I'm waiting for her to beta for me. So if you want more you know who to find ;) JK, please read and review! :D

Chapter 1: After

Hermione felt his piercing glare on the top of her head as she tried to focus on the letter in front of her, rereading it again and again to make sure the words confirmed that she was supposed to be here. Satisfied that its content hadn't changed at all, she shifted her gaze to the window and resigned herself to watching the scenery fly by. Anything at all to avoid his steely gaze.

Finally, it seemed like he was tired of glaring at her and saying nothing. He flexed his wrist and Hermione narrowed her eyes. He wouldn't dare to try anything, would he? Not with Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville in the same compartment. He shot her a self assured smirk when he caught her staring at him and she rolled her eyes and glanced back down at her letter. What she saw there made her gasp.

Dear Ms Granger,

We regret to inform you that your place as Charms Professor has been taken by another professor. We apologise for wasting your time and wish you the best of luck in the future.

Sincerely,

Headmistress McGonagall

"What's wrong, 'Mione?" Ron asked her affectionately, placing his large hand over hers. She was just about to reply when she saw Malfoy snickering . Of course he was responsible. This prank had Malfoy's immaturity written all over it.

"Oh, nothing, it's just that I can't believe I'm coming back to teach with some filthy ferret. What a pity." She aimed her words at Malfoy, throwing a scathing glare in for good measure as well.

"Watch it, mudblood," he spat, causing Ron to whip out his wand. Draco arched an eyebrow. "Gonna ask me to 'eat slugs' again, Weasel?"

Hermione reached for his extended arm and slapped it. "Ron, you should know better! You're a teacher now; you have to set a good example!" Malfoy chuckled, but she chose to ignore him. She bristled when she felt Harry snicker in amusement beside her.

Ron looked sheepish as he lowered his wand. Hermione breathed out a sigh.

"That's better," she said as she leaned toward him. She caught Draco's expression of disgust as their lips met and her own jerked upwards in a smirk that could give Draco Malfoy himself a run for his money.

She scooted closer to Ron in an effort to annoy the hell out of Draco by snogging Ron to within an inch of his life. She was rewarded when he cursed under his breath and stalked out of their compartment.

The Great Hall was positively buzzing with excitement. Hermione could see all the cute little first years in their oversized robes chattering in the entrance hall, waiting to be sorted into their houses. Ron grabbed her hand and led her towards the staff table when she almost unconsciously drifted toward the Gryffindor student's section.

They got seated at the table and she tried not to crane her neck to look for a certain blonde. Instead, she concentrated on Ron's carrot red hair and the light sprinkling of freckles on his cheeks. Adorable. Right?

Her attention was drawn away from Ron when Draco emerged from amidst a crowd of second years, looking thoroughly pissed off at the jam they created. She smiled secretly to herself, he looked pretty hot when he was angry, she thought. Her smile vanished when she saw Astoria Greengrass following behind him, her china-doll like hand encased in his own pale one.

Draco found a seat next to her and she immediately squirmed. He reached back over to touch his lips to Astoria's and then look back at her. His smirk was clear as day on his face. Payback sucks, Granger.

Sickened to her stomach, she looked away. Since when had she been this bothered over what Draco Malfoy did? Why had her mood turned sour when she saw Malfoy and Astoria together? Then, it hit her. They looked like the perfect couple, she realized.

She was jolted out of her thoughts when McGonagall stood up from her seat and rapped her fork against her goblet, commanding the entire student population's attention immediately.

"I'm so very glad to see all of you back here, it's been a long break, but once again Hogwarts is open once more to those who are eager and willing to seek wisdom and knowledge…" Hermione tuned out of her speech and concentrated on watching Malfoy out of the corner of his eye. She could see his hand on Astoria's bare thigh and she scoffed in disgust.

"Table manners, Malfoy," she said under her breath, then cursed herself as a delighted smirk lit up his face.

"…and Hermione Granger, who will be teaching Charms this year!" A huge round of applause sounded for her as Ron nudged her to get up. She hastily jumped up, her hips brushing against Malfoy's shoulder in the process. She caught sight of Astoria's glare as she waved.

Later, in the corridor, when all the students had been ushered to their rooms, she pulled Harry aside.

"Listen Harry, do you know why Draco and Astoria are acting so weirdly all of a sudden? It's like they suddenly got all chummy. What's going on?" She spewed out her questions breathlessly.

"Didn't you know 'Mione? They got engaged under Lucius' will," He must have seen the look on her face because he continued. "Don't look so shocked, 'Mione, you wouldn't believe how many girls would jump at the chance to marry Malfoy."

Hermione couldn't hear past the word engaged. Draco and Astoria were now engaged?